Cribbing



March 7,` 1939. Q H DAWSON 'I 2,149,9(57

CRIBBING Filed May 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 7, 1939.

o. H. DAwsoN 2,149,957

.CRIBBING y Filed May 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [Nl/ENTOR 1 AT QRNEY Patented Mar. 7, 1939 UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This Vinvention-relates .to cribbing and in particularito cribbing composed of a plurality of precast reinforced vconcrete units adapted for use in the construction of retaining walls such as are used in Aconect-ion with fills. and embankments offrailways, roadways' and the like.

OneA objectl ofthe invention isto provide cribbingfcomposed of a few standardized precast reinforcedlconcrete units adapted to be erected in superimposedand interlocke'd relationship with respectv to each other and form either a straight faced-wall, a wall meandering in angular directionslora wall taking the direction of chords of a curve.

'Another' object of the invention isto provide a criblingA composed of y-a singleitype of precast stretcher and asingle type of precast header and a single'type of anchorages for said headers which may be easily and accurately erected into a superimposed and interlocked relationship with respect toI each other, the said headers, stretchers and anchoragesbeing adapted to be erected into eitherfa straight faced wall, a wall meandering in angular directions or a wall taking the direction of: chords of a curve and present a substantially uniformv front elevational appearance without vthe'usefof special stretcher, header and anchorage members.

Another object of the invention is to provide cribbingA composed of a few standardized precast reinforced concrete units adapted to be easily and accuratelyerected fand impaled in `superimposed and interlocked relationship to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thoroughly anchored, interlocked and stable cribbing for retaining walls used in connection with fills and embankments which utilizes a minimum of material and which may be erected at an extremely low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide cribbing composed of interlccked stretchers and headers, and anchorage members for the said headers connected thereto in such a manner as to permit uneven settlement of the anchorage membersk on an axis substantially normal to said headers or to permit twisting of said headers by uneven'longitudinal settlement. of said stretchers without 'setting up torsional stressesl in said headers.

Another object-of the invention is to provide a cribbing composed of stretchers, headers, anchorage: members and spacers for said anchorage membersV interlocked in a superimposed and spliced.relationship to each other by complementary sockets vand lugs formed therein and thereon, the said stretchers, headers, anchorage members and spacers vhavingV sleeved apertures therethrough disposed concentric with respect to all said sockets, lugs and spacers employed, and elsewhere where required, whereby to admit of impaling the component parts of the cribbing together on a plurality of vertically disposed impaling rods, the said sockets, lugs and spacers being so formed asto interlock the said component parts of the said cribbing together during erectionthereof prior to and in Vaddition to the impalement of the component parts of the said cribbing on said impaling'rods.

Another object of the invention is to vprovide a cribbing composed of stretchers, headers and spaced anchorage members interconnected by complementary sockets and lugs formed therein and thereon and impaled in a unitary whole by impaling rods disposed through sleeved apertures therethrough, the reinforcement of said cribbing members being welded directly to said sleeved members whereby to provide a positive tensile anchorage and splices between the said headers, stretchers and anchorage members of the said'oribbing.

OtherV objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 isa top view of a cribbing wall embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 1.

Fig. '3 is a cross sectionalview taken on the line 3Q3 of Fig.`1.

Fig` '4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 showing the header members of the cribbing in section and the anchorage members and spacers thereof in elevation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View of a typical splice and joint between stretcher and header members.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional vew similary to Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a detailed plan View of the preferred form of anchorage members employed.

Fig. 8 is a detailed fragmentary plan view of the end of the preferred form of stretcher members employed.

Fig. 9 is a cross `sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8 showing the preferred shape of the'said stretcher member between the ends thereof.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a preferred formv of' header' members employed.

Fig. 11 is a'fragmentary side elevational View of the rear portion of the header member'disclosed in Fig. 10. Y f

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the preferred form of spacers employed at the ends of the anchorage members.

Figs. 13, 14 and15 are similar to Figs. 7, 8 and 10 respectively showing the-direct' anchorage of reinforcement to sleeves cast in anchors, stretchers and headers through which impaling rods are disposed.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive comprises, in general, a cribbing composed of a plurality of .stretcher members 20 longitudinally spliced and vertically spaced by suitable headers 2| disposed substantially normal to the said stretcher members (20 and connected to suitable bow shaped anchorage members 22 which space the Vsaid headers 2| at the rearwardly disposed ends thereof and support the'same substantially parallel to each other, the outer ends of the said anchorage members 22 being supported inv spaced relationship to each other by preferably cylindrical spacers 23. The said cribbing is filled behind theV said stretchers 20 with suitable filling material as indicatedfby the dotted line 24 in Fig. 3, which fill may support aY railroad track 25 or the like. The stretcher members 20 are preferably so shaped Yand spaced as to retain the said lling material therebehind without permitting the same to run out through Vthe longitudinal spaces 26 therebetween, the angle of repose and forward slope ofthe ll at the spaces 26 between the said stretcher members 2|) being indicated by the dotted line 21 in Fig. 3. If the ground upon which cribbing embodying thev invention is to be erected is particularly soft Y and more or less `unstable in nature, it maybe desirable to place suitable spread footings 28, 29 Y and 33 Yunder the front end of the headers 2|, under the rear end of theheaders 2| and under the spacers 23 of the anchorage members 22 respectively as best indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and V4.

The various cribbing units are preferably precast of reinforced concrete or other suitable cementitious material and suitably set and cured prior to erection. The said precast units may be either factory cast and steam cured or they may be cast in suitableV forms and air cured at the construction site prior to erection.

The stretchers 20 are provided with enlarged vertically disposed cylindricalV endsV 3| having frusto-conical sockets 32 formed therein'at the top and bottom thereof as best shown in Figs.

5 and 8 and have a sleeve 33 cast in each of the cylindrical ends 3| thereof concentric with the said frusta-conical sockets. Suitable reinforcement 34 is provided along the forward side of the said stretchers 20 as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 which is anchored to the'said sleeves Y33 byv therearound. The said.

stretchers 20 have upper and lower longitudinally extending lips 35 cast flush with the face Vthereof extending between theY rounded ends 3| thereof, the said lips 35 serve to retain filling material behind a wall formed by the said stretcher members 20 in the manner hereinbefore described.

The headers 2| are provid-ed with an enlarged forward end 3B having pairs'of upper and lower frusto-conical lugs 31 formed thereon of the same depth but slightly smaller in diameter thanV -ers 2|.

the frusto-conical socket 32 formed in the cylindrical ends 3| of the stretchers 2|) into which the said lugs 31 are positioned and retained when the said stretchers 2D and the headers 2| are erected in superimposed and interlocked relationship to each other as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. Sleeves 38 are cast vertically through the enlarged forward end 36 of each header 2| concentric with each of the said frusto-conicallugs 3T f vertically disposed sleeve 39 therethrough for' the purpose of receiving means for securing the said headers 2| to the anchorage members 22 as hereinafter described. The said headers 2| are provided with suitable longitudinal reinforcement 40 which is anchored to the sleeves 38 and 39 thereofy as best indicated in Fig. 10 by bend-V ing the ends of the said reinforcement 40 therearound. Additional reinforcement 4| is preferably looped around the said sleeves 38 in spaced relationship thereto and disposed near the face of the enlarged forward ends 36 of the said headers-2| as shown in Fig. 10 to prevent failure of Y the enlarged forward-ends 36 Vof the headers 2| when subjected to tensional stresses caused by the tendency of the stretchers 20 to pull apart after being spliced by the said headers 2|. The outwardly disposed forward corners of the fenlarged forwardY ends 36 of theV said headers'ZlV are rounded to the same radius as the diameter of the cylindrical ends'3l of the stretchers 20.

It willV be noted that the front'face of each stretcher 20 is tangent with respect to the cylindrical endsl 3| thereof and that the front end face of each header 2| is tangent with respect to the rounded outwardly disposed forward corners thereof, all of vwhich creates a substantially uniform front elevational appearance of a retaining wall constructed of cribbing units herein disclosed regardless of whether the wall is straight faced, meanders in angular directions or is erected on the lines of the chords of a curve.

The rearward end 42 of the headers .2| is preferably precast thicker than the remainder thereof to serve as central spacers for the anchorage members 22. The top and bottom of the said rearward end 42 of the headers 2| are curved on` an axis parallel to the said headers 2| Aas best indicated in Figs.V 6, 10 and 11 to permit the anchorage members 22 spaced thereby to settle unevenly with respect to the stretchers 20 or to Y Yrelationsl'iip with the rearwardly disposed ends 42 of the said headers 2| with the hollow portions of the said bow shaped anchorage mem- Y bers 22 facing the back of the front wall of the havingfrustoeconical sockets Mformedtherein at the. topand ibottomfthereof `as 'best `shown in Figs: 6 and "7 and have sleeves 45-cast therein concentric Withithe said frusto-conicalsockets -441 A- sleeve i6-'fis cast'through thefcentral portiorrlofthesaidy anchorage members 22 as shown invFigs;- 6 and :7 through which means for securin'g'fthersaidanchoragemembers22 to the rearwardJ end t2-'of the: headers 2l may be positioned as 4hereinafter described. Suitable reinforcementlf'and' extending along the frontand rear"sidesofthe said bow shaped anchorage men'rbers` 22,and cross vreinforcement 49 tensional'lyreinforcing'thef central portionof the said anchorage members' 22ris preferably provided and positioned Itl'ierein'as best indicated in Fig. 7, the f lpositiveanchorage' ofl the reinforcement of the anchors, stretchers and headers respectively to the sleevesroast-therethrough, the reinforcement 418, staand-'citt in'Figs. i2, i4 and V15 respectively beingrthe` saine'y as the reinforcement 4l, 34 and in'Figs. 7, 8 and 1G respectively except that the-said reinforcement disclosed in Figs. 12, 14 and i is `welded to the sleeves 45, 33 and 38 and 3e respectively.

When the novel cribbing disclosed herein is erected,Y the f few. standardized precast units are erectedinalternate superimposed interlocked relationship vto eachother asV previously described eitherA into a straight faced wall, a wall meandering ifi-angularV directions or a Wall taking the direction'of the chords' of a curve with the lugs 3'i1and:socl\:ets -32' of the headers and stretchers respectively in registry with each other and with f thel frusto-conical ends 5E! of the cylindrical'spacers 23inregistry with the frusto-conical sockets 44" ofthe anchorage members and with the elongated sleeves y39` through the rearward end offthelheaders 2!y in registry with the central slecvestof the anchorage members 2Q as best indicated in general in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4 and in detail in'Figsi 5 and 6; Impaling rods 52 are then telescoped through the sleeves 33 land 38` of the alternately superimposed stretchers and' headers 2i? and 2|A respectively. Impaling rods 53are telescopedthrough the sleeves 39 and 46 of the rearwardly disposed end 42'of' the headerf2l and the' centrall portion of the `anchorage member 22 respectively. Impalingrods Ellare then telescoped through'the sleeves 45 and '5i through the outer cylindrical-ends of the anchorage members 22l and through the'spacers` 23" respectively as shown in detail in Fig; 6.

The Various lugs'7 vsockets and spacers cooperate with each other and serve ascentering means for disposing the lsleeves therethrough in alignment for-receiving the impaling rods as hereinbefore described However, instead of using impaling rods disposed through a plurality of superimposed cribbing members as indicated in detail in`Figs.-'5 `and 6, it is contemplated that short fimpaling pins may be used in place of continuous impalingirods, in.which case', the joints between impaling pins would be located at one-half of thefdepth rofithe memberin which the joint occurs. :The-fuse of vimpaling pins instead of impalinglro'ds fwould admit of the erection of the said -zcribbingmembers onto the impaling pins ratherwthan erectingI the cribbing members with therfsleeves thereof in alignment and subsequently driving the r impaling pin through the sleeves thereof.

The'applicant has `provided a novel, economical, easy-toerectgstable cribbing for retaining wall construction composed of a few standardized precast units 'whichfrnay be impaled together into an-integralwhole either during or after erection.

Although but vone embodimentA of the invention andorre modification thereof have been disclosed and .describedfhcreim it is obvious that many changesfand.modifications may be made in the size; shape, arrangement and details of the various elements of the invention without departing frorn=thespirit thereof and it is not intended to limit thescope ofthe invention other than by the` terms: of the appended claims.

I claim:

l.-A precastconcrete cribbing-comprising, in combination, a plurality of stretchers having enlarged vertically disposed cylindrical ends formed tangentfiwith the face thereof erected end to end insspacedl tiersy'headers having enlarged forward ends-withvrthe outwardly disposed corners thereof formed#substantiallythe same radius as the radius of the-` said cylindrical ends of the stretchers adapted to' space Iand `splice said stretchers, and anchorage members secured to the rear end of the said'headers adapted to space the said rear end ofthe Asaid headers, the said stretchers and headersfpresenting-a substantially uniform front elevational appearance when erected into either a straight faced wall, a wall meandering in angular directions', or aiwall taking thel direction of the chords` of-a curve, and means-for securing the said'stretchers, headers:v and anchorage members intoa vunitary structure.

2. .Aprecast-V concrete cribbing comprising, in combination, a .plurality of stretchers having enlarged vertically disposedV cylindrical ends, sleeves cast concentrically through said cylindrical ends, headers'having'enlarged forward ends disposed suhstantiallynormal Ato said stretchers serving as spacerstherefor, a pair of sleeves through the said forward end ofeach'header spaced laterally slightlygreater than the diameter of the cylindricalends of the-'said stretchers and disposed from theiforward end of thesaidhea'der substantially one-halt the Ydiameter of the said cylindrical ends ofthe saidistretchers, the outer corners of the forward Tend of 'each header being substantially the saine radius as the radius of the said cylindricalends of Ithev'said stretchers, a sleeve disposed verticallythrough the rear end of the said headers, anchorage'means disposed between and spacingthe'rear ends'of the said headers, a sleeve verticallyfdisposed' through said anchorage means inalign'ment with the said sleeve disposed vertically thro-ughfthe rear end of the said header, reinforcementin. said headers, stretchers and anchorage means adapted to transfer stresses therein directly tothe said sleeves cast therethrough,

i andimpaling-means disposed through said sleeves forsecuring-the said cribbing into a unitary whole, the said lcribbing presenting a substantially uniform front elevation when erected into a straight facedfwalL-va wallfmeanderingin angular directherein near each end thereof, sleeves cast vertically through said headers and stretchers con- Vlo centric with said lugs and-sockets, sleeves cast vertically through the rear ends of said headers and vertically through said anchorage members, and impaling rods disposed through said sleeves.

4. A precast concrete cribbing comprising a plurality of stretchers and headers and anchorage members disposed between the rear ends of said headers, an enlarged forward end on said headers having two -pairs of laterally spaced upper and lower'pfrusto-conical lugs formed thereon, the said stretcher members having-one pair of upper and lower frusto-conical sockets complementary to said lugson said anchorage members formed therein near each end thereof, sleeves cast Vvertically through said headers and stretchers Vconcentric with Vsaid lugs and sockets, a laterally disposed elongated sleeve cast vertically through the rear end of said headers, a sleeve cast vertically through said anchorage members, and impaling rods disposed through said sleeves, the top and bottom of the rear end of said headers being ar- `and lower frusto-conical sockets formed in theV vcuately formed on an axis parallel to the said headers whereby to admit of uneven settlement of lsaid stretchers with respect to said'anchorage members on an axis substantially normal to said headers without setting up excessive torsional stresses in said headers.

5. A precast concrete cribbing comprising, in

combination, a plurality of stretchers and-head ers and anchorage members disposed between the rear ends of said headers, the said stretchers having enlarged vertically disposed cylindrical Vends formed tangent withthe face thereof erected Y end to end in tiers and spaced by said headers, the said stretchers also having a pair ofvupper said cylindrical ends thereof, the said headers having enlarged forward ends with the outwardly disposed corners thereof formed substantially the same radius as the radius of the said cylindrical ends of the said stretchers, two pairs of upper and lower frusto-conical lugs complementary `to the sockets in said stretchers formed on said headers laterally spaced slightly greater than the diameter of the said cylindrical ends of the said stretchers, sleeves cast vertically` through said headers and stretchers concentric with said lugs and sockets, sleeves cast vertically through the Y rear ends of said headersV and through said anchorage members, and impaling-rods disposed through said sleeves whereby to impale the component parts of kthe said cribbing into an integral whole, the said cribbing being capable of erection into a wall presenting a substantially uniform front elevational appearance when the said cribbing is erected into either a straight faced wall,

a'wall meandering in angular directions, or a wall taking the direction of the chords of a curve.

6. A precast concrete cribbing comprising, in combination, a plurality of stretchers'and headers and anchorage members disposed between the rear ends of said headers, and frusto-conical ended spacers for said anchorage members, the

said stretchers having enlarged vertically dis-V formed in the said cylindrical ends thereof, theY said headers having enlarged forward ends with theroutwardly disposed corners thereof formed substantially the same radius as'the radius of Vthe said cylindrical ends Vof the said stretchers,

two pairs of upper and lower frusto-conical lugs complementary to the sockets in said stretchers formed on said headers laterally spaced slightly greater than the diameter of the said cylindrical ends of the stretchers, frusto-conical sockets formed in said anchorage members for receiving the ends of the said spacers, sleeves cast Vertically through said headers and stretchers concentricv with said lugs and sockets, sleeves cast vertically through the rear ends of said headers and through said anchorage members, sleeves cast through said anchorage members and spacers concentric with the said frusto-conical sockets andY ends thereof, and impaling rods'disposed through said sleeves wherebyV to impale the component parts of the said cribbing into an integral whole; the said frusto-conical lugs, sockets, and spacers serving to align said sleeves whereby to admit of ease in impaling the component parts of said cribbing `into an integral whole. l

7. A precast concrete cribbingV comprising, in combination, a plurality of stretchers and headers and anchorage members disposed between the rear ends of said headers, and frusto-conical endedspacers for said anchorage membersthe said stretchers having enlargedvertically disposed VVcylindrical ends formed tangent with the faceV thereof erected end to end in tiers and' spaced by said headers, the said stretchers also having a pair of upper and lower frusto-conical sockets formed in the said cylindrical ends thereof, the

said headers having enlarged forward ends with the outwardly disposed corners thereof formed substantially the same radius as the radius of the said cylindrical ends of the said stretchers, two

pairs of upper and lower frusto-conical lugs com- Yplementary to the sockets in said stretchersV formed onsaid headers laterally spaced slightly greater than the diameter of the said cylindrical ends of the stretchers, `fr'usto-conical Vsockets formed in said anchorage members for receiving the ends of the said spacers, sleeves cast vertically through said headers and kstretchers concentric with said lugs and sockets, sleeves castk vertically through the rear ends of said headers and through said anchorage members, sleeves l cast through said anchorage members and spacers concentric with the said frusto-conical sockets vand, ends thereof, reinforcement in said headers, stretchers and anchorage members adapted `to transfer stresses therein directly tothe said sleeves cast therethrough, and impaling rods disposed through said sleeves whereby to impale the component parts of the said cribbing into, an integral whole; the said frusto-conical lugs, sockets and spacers serving to align said sleeves whereby to admit of ease in impaling the component parts of said cribbing into an integral whole.

8. A precast concrete cribbing comprising, in combination, a plurality of stretchers having enlarged vertically disposed cylindrical ends formed tangent with the face thereof erected end to end in spaced tiers, headers having` enlarged forward ends with the outwardly disposed corners thereof formed substantially the same radius as the radius of the said cylindrical ends of the stretchers adapted to space and splice said stretchers, and anchorage members secured to the rear end of the said headers adapted to space the said rear end of the said headers, the said stretchers and headers presenting a substantially uniform front elevational appearance when erected into of the chords of a curve, and impaling means disy posed through said stretchers, headers and anchorage members adapted to secure the same into 5 a unitary structure.

ORLEY H. DAWSON. 

